Volunteer applications now open for The 2026 JUNO Awards. Volunteers are being recruited for JUNO Week, taking place in Hamilton, Ontario from March 26-29. TORONTO - December 9, 2025 - Today, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) invites the public to volunteer during JUNO Week 2026, hosted in Hamilton, Ontario, from March 26-29. The celebrations begin on Thursday, March 26, culminating with The JUNO Awards Broadcast on Sunday, March 29. The 55th annual JUNO Awards, will broadcast and stream live across Canada at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen and globally at CBCMusic.ca/junos and CBC Music's YouTube page. The 2026 JUNO Awards, returning to Hamilton for the seventh time, will showcase Canada's top artists, creators and industry leaders. Volunteering with the JUNOS is an incredible opportunity to work alongside passionate music enthusiasts and take part in executing one of the most significant cultural events in Canada's entertainment industry. Whether you're interested in supporting Broadcast, on-site event activities, or other immersive positions offering a deeper learning opportunity throughout the week, this is a unique chance to gain valuable experience while creating unforgettable memories! Roles are open to everyone, with many not requiring prior experience. This is the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to get into the music industry or event management. Volunteer applications for the highly anticipated 2026 JUNO Week celebrations are now open. More details are available online at junoawards.ca/volunteer. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca The 2026 JUNO Awards Volunteer Program is Produced by Carrie Brown Management: www.carriebrownmanagement.ca Luminate is the Official Data Provider of the 2026 JUNO Awards Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca CARAS acknowledges the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada, and Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music industry and promote higher artistic and industry standards. CARAS' mandate is comprised of four key pillars: Educate through our music education charity, MusiCounts, programs and initiatives; Develop emerging artists through mentorship and development programs; Celebrate Canadian artists with year-round JUNO Awards showcasing; and Honour music industry icons through the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The 55th Annual JUNO Awards Broadcast will take place in Hamilton at TD Coliseum on Sunday, March 29, 2026. For more information on the JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), please visit www.junoawards.ca.

China streaming data will now shape Billboard charts. Billboard's Global Charts will now include music consumption data from China. Luminate struck a deal with Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) to feed streaming and sales figures into Billboard's weekly rankings. This change fills a long-standing gap and gives the charts a clearer view of global listening. Data sources & rollout. Luminate will pull metrics from QQ Music, Kugou, Kuwo, and JOOX via the TME Chart. Subscribers to Luminate's CONNECT platform will see the new data in the coming weeks. Moreover, Luminate's CEO Rob Jonas called the partnership "a pivotal moment for the global music industry." TC Pan of TME described the deal as "a data-driven effort to establish a unified global content ecosystem." Ryan Liang at TME said the agreement strengthens the TME Chart's role as a bridge to global audiences. TME brings real scale to the table. As of Q2 2025, its platforms reported 553 million monthly active users and 124.4 million paying subscribers. Consequently, listening habits in China can now move songs on the Global Charts. That matters for artists and labels. Therefore, managers and A&R teams should include Chinese performance in their strategies. Coverage & benefits. Previously, Billboard used the UNI Chart for some Chinese insight. However, UNI offered only limited visibility. Now, full streaming and sales data will feed directly into Billboard's flagship Global Charts. This integration improves fairness and reduces blind spots. Additionally, it gives Chinese creators clearer routes to international recognition. At the same time, international acts gain better signals about where they resonate in China. The practical effects will show up in promotion and playlisting. Songs that chart well in China may gain more placement on global playlists. Consequently, marketing teams can target campaigns with better precision. Moreover, data-driven decisions will improve sync, touring, and release planning across regions. In short, Billboard and Luminate have made the global charts more inclusive. The move promises richer insights and fairer rankings. Ultimately, fans and industry professionals will see charts that reflect more voices and more tastes from around the world.